‘Mother’s Ruin’ Gin Pays Homage to London’s ‘Disreputable’ History of Drinking

An important piece of gin history is bottled up in a limited-edition release from English spirits producer Shakespeare Distillery. (Photo: Shakespeare Distilling)

Shakespeare Distillery, the only distillery operating in the U.K.’s Stratford-Upon-Avon, has unveiled its latest craft creation, Mother’s Ruin Dry Gin.

Drawing inspiration from the historical gin culture portrayed in William Hogarth’s renowned print, the new offering combines traditional botanicals such as juniper, coriander seed, orris root, lemon peel and cubeb, alongside butterfly pea flowers, hibiscus, lemon verbena and thyme.

Director Simon Picken expressed enthusiasm about the launch, highlighting Mother’s Ruin’s “delicate and well-balanced” nature.

“We’re delighted to launch our ‘Mother’s Ruin’ Gin to add to our portfolio of premium, handcrafted products. In 1730, the thirst for gin was insatiable, people sold their furnishings and even their homes to buy their favourite tipple,” Picken said, per Warwickshire.

“Although gin is incredibly popular these days, thankfully people don’t have to resort to desperate measures to buy it! Mother’s Ruin is a beautifully delicate and well-balanced gin which I’m sure will be a very popular gift for Mothering Sunday!”

Hogarth’s drawing, titled “Gin Lane,” is a famous satirical engraving created in 1751. It is part of a pair, with the other being “Beer Street.” “Gin Lane” illustrates the consequences of the widespread consumption of gin in 18th-century London. The scene notably portrays a mother neglecting her child amid a community in decline. During this period, the phrase “Mother’s Ruin” surfaced, also referencing the negative impacts of drinking. The term has since evolved, and in contemporary contexts, it is used more playfully to refer to gin.

“The name is a humorous nod to London’s disreputable history of gin drinking, yet unlike the dubious spirit coined ‘Mother’s Ruin’ during the 18th Century, our version is far tastier,” the distillery added.

Priced at £35 (about $44) per 50-cl bottle, Mother’s Ruin Gin can be found online or at the distillery shop. For an ideal serve, Shakespeare Distilling recommends pairing Mother’s Ruin with Fever-tree Elderflower Tonic, ice and lemon.

In October 2022, Shakespeare Distillery opened a tasting room and rum school experience in the former home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Judith. To mark the occasion, the brand launched a limited-edition pink gin made with pink peppercorns, hibiscus, citrus, raspberries and blackberries.

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